Building information modelling-based life cycle assessment (BIM-LCA) for housing estates in Thailand

Abstract

Climate change is an important issue with rapidly increasing significance. The demand for housing is rising every year and this can lead to more carbon emissions and environmental impact from the residential sector. Carbon emission over the whole lifecycle of a building are key for sustainability and BIM can play an important role in assisting designers and stakeholders for better decision making, from design to operation, in order to reduce these emissions and improve efficiencies. This research focuses on BIM-LCA at the early design stages with a proposal for BIM-LCA implementation for housing in Thailand, where no formal process for this currently exists. It reviews relevant processes from other countries and proposes a framework for implementation for Thailand. It argues that the government, organisation firms and those involved in Thailand’s construction industry should be more aware of problems surrounding global warming and the importance of sustainably designing housing in Thailand from construction in order to reduce the impact to the environment.